black and yellow argiope
(Argiope aurantia)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
Black and yellow argiope, also called black-and-yellow garden spider, may be the largest web-building spider in the northern United States. The adult female body is ¾″ to 1⅛″ long. The abdomen is egg-shaped and black. There is a vertical row of bold yellow spots on each side of the abdomen and two or three pairs of yellow spots in the middle. The covering (carapace) of the front segment of the spider’s body (cephalothorax) is densely covered with short, silvery hairs. The underside (sternum) is black with a yellow vertical stripe. The legs are ¾″ to 2¾″ long. The front legs are black with black femurs. The other legs are black with yellow femurs. Sometimes there are yellow bands on the legs. There are three claws on each foot. The male is much smaller, ¼″ to ⅜″ long. |
Size |
Female: ¾″ to 1⅛″ long Male: ¼″ to ⅜″ long |
Web |
The web is constructed vertically in a sunny location with a nearby retreat. It is flat, circular, and up to 24″ or more in diameter, with 30 to 50 lines (spokes) radiating from the center. It is decorated with a pair conspicuous, zigzag, vertical lines (stabilimenta), one above and one below the center. The stabilimenta are made of multiple threads of non-sticky silk. The purpose of the stabilimenta is a matter of debate. Some think that because they are highly reflective of ultraviolet light their purpose is to attract insects. Others believe that their purpose is to prevent damage to the web by making it visible to low flying birds. A study in 1998 supports the latter position. |
Similar Species |
Habitat |
Gardens, fields, roadsides |
Biology |
Season |
Large females seen late summer and fall |
Behavior |
Adults are active day and night. The female sits head down in the center of her web, or concealed nearby in a rolled leaf, waiting for prey to be caught in the web. |
Life Cycle |
After mating, the female produces usually 1 to 3, rarely 4, egg sacs and attaches them to her web. Each egg sac is round, papery, up to 1″ in diameter, and contains 300 to 1,400 eggs. The eggs hatch in late summer or fall. The hatchlings overwinter in the egg sac, not leaving it until the spring of the following year. Adults die in the first frost of the fall, having lived just over one year. |
Food |
Large flying insects |
Distribution |
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Sources 7, 24, 29, 30, 82, 83. |
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| 8/31/2024 | ||
Occurrence |
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Common |
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Taxonomy |
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| Class | Arachnida (arachnids) |
Order |
Araneae (spiders) |
Suborder |
Araneomorphae (typical spiders) |
| Infraorder | Entelegynae |
Superfamily |
Araneoidea (orbweavers and allies) |
Family |
Araneidae (orbweavers) |
Subfamily |
Argiopinae |
Genus |
Argiope (garden orbweavers) |
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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black and yellow garden spider black and yellow argiope corn spider writing spider yellow garden orbweaver yellow garden spider |
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Glossary
Carapace
On spiders, the hard, upper, shell-like covering of the cephalothorax.
Cephalothorax
The front part of a spider’s body, composed of the head region and the thoracic area fused together. Eyes, legs, and antennae are attached to this part.
Stabilimentum
A decoration of the web of certain orb spiders; thought to attract prey and conceal the spider.
Visitor Photos |
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Tom Ballard |
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Black and Yellow Argiope I spotted this critter on my barn in Pennington County this evening, 9/23/24 |
Thomas Reeverts |
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DB |
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Argiope Night sighting on our garage door in St Michael, MN We were able to catch a small clip of this unique spider moving about her web. So fun to watch her move about her web. Beautiful spider. |
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Alfredo Colon |
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Mike Poeppe |
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Chevylover |
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Dorita |
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Tess |
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Jill Maher |
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Between building and Bush |
Bill Elert |
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Spotted hanging next to my garage door above my bushes. |
Brock K. |
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Huge yellow/black spider has had a web during last 2 weeks in our Irus plant in the backyard. Looked it up on your site, thank you. |
Sandra Kelly |
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my front garden in the hostas |
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Lisa W |
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taking residence outside my garage |
Diane Richter |
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spotted the web and spider on my tomato plant |
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Charlene Sennewald |
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She was building her web in a tomato bush. |
Bobbi Johnson |
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Jennifer Torrini |
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in a planter amidst my Dusty Miller and Begonias. Look at that web! |
Gary Holthaus |
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beautiful spider |
Melissa |
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She’s beautiful! |
Rehnman |
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Roger Williamson |
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jmpickone |
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My back yard in veggie garden. |
LCHB |
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Beautilful! I’ve never seen one before. |
Kim Baartman |
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Cristina LaPointe |
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Found between a phone pole and a plant in a ditch. |
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Brianna F. |
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Jim Ham |
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| Found on a sidewalk below some large security lights. Many webs around the lights. While I was taking this photo the warm air inside woke him up. |
Mark Gullickson |
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Beautiful! In a small grassland on our farm. |
Roy G. |
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In my front yard. |
Anonymous |
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Kylie W |
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Sarah H. |
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luckysharms913@gmail.com |
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Theresa Cullett |
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Mark |
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Garden Spider |
Jim H. |
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Rhonda |
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This is the third one I’ve seen in less then a week. We have always had free range chickens. This is the first time in 9 years we don’t have them... I think we will be getting them again!!😉 |
Ang Marie |
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Cathy R |
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In my garden |
Amber & Robert |
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OMG ITS HUGE!!!! |
Connie Peterson |
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"Charlotte" ??? |
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Birddog |
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(castlerockmaterials) |
Jordan M. |
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Found on the deck by our front door. |
Kris M. |
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Maggie Pace |
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Enormous. |
Lei |
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Chris Reiter |
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Had a large web in the shrub. |
Shane Fox |
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Tom Baker |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
Black and Yellow Garden Spider |
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About
Copyright DianesDigitals |
Black-and-Yellow Argiope (Argiope aurantia) |
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Argiope aurantia (Yellow Garden Argiope) |
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Visitor Videos |
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Share your video of this arachnid. |
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Dan W. Andree |
"Yellow Garden Spider" filmed by Dan W Andree |
About
A quick and up close look at a common, colorful spider known by several names such as Black and Yellow Garden spider, Golden Orbweaver, zig zag spider and several other names. About an inch in body length - legs not included. Add on the long legs and it can appear to be quite large overall. They typically build their webs in gardens, tall grassy areas etc. where they catch and seem to guard their food (insects). There is written text on this particular spider and what I have come to know about it at the beginning of the video so I will not go into any more detail here. Hope you enjoy it. |
Other Videos |
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Garden Spider (Argiope Aurantia) vs. Cicada Killer (Sphecius Speciosus) PLEASE READ INFO |
About
Uploaded on Nov 22, 2008 This is probably the best video I have concerning the Black and Yellow Argiope Spider. The largest garden spider of the northern United States vs. one of the largest wasps in the world. This cicada killer was considerabaly alot larger than the Black and Yellow Argiope Spider, and I have never seen anything like this! Please Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving! Best to watch in High qaulity!!! THINGS TO WATCH FOR: I will continue posting more wildlife videos. Please feel free to subscribe! |
Female Black and Yellow Argiope Orb Weaver Spider - (Argiope aurantia) |
About
Uploaded on Nov 22, 2009 She probably won't live much longer - these Argiopes supposedly live only a year and die during the winter - and it's already getting cold here. For more spider photography and videos, head on over to www.ThomasShahan.com |
Argiope Aurantia Wrapping Egg Sack (5) |
About
Uploaded on Feb 8, 2007 This is about three hours after the argiope spider was persistently working on the egg sack, shown in the last video I posted. She is still working on the protective covering of that egg sack. Please subscribe, and thanks for watching! |
Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this arachnid. |
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Tom Ballard |
Location: Pennington County I spotted this critter on my barn in Pennington County this evening, 9/23/24 |
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Joshua Fahey |
Location: Empire, Mn Black and yellow garden spider sighting. Three females in one spot all feeding in our front garden. |
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| Noelle B 9/9/2023 |
Location: Alexandria, MN 2nd Grader Noelle found it. 4th Grader Harrison found and ID’d it without Googling it. |
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| Corey C 9/1/2023 |
Location: Spicer, Mn saw on roadside/curb while biking. |
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| DB 8/27/2023 |
Location: St Michael, MN Night sighting on our garage door in St Michael, MN. We were able to catch a small clip of this unique spider moving about her web. So fun to watch her move about her web. Beautiful spider. |
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Ric Johnson |
Location: Brooklyn Center, Mn |
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| Mike Poeppe 8/20/2023 |
Location: Houston, MN |
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| Chevylover 9/26/2022 |
Location: Fairbank Pa Fayette County |
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| Dorita 9/18/2022 |
Location: Elgin, Illinois |
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| Monique Milton 8/28/2022 |
Location: Harris, MN In my large flower pot in front of my house. |
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| Lenise 8/22/2022 |
Location: Plymouth, MN Spotted in garden in large web between milkweed and asparagus fern. One HUGE female. She has a beautiful zig zag string in her web, just as in the pictures. (Hope she's not catching the monarch butterflies that I am growing the milkweed for...). |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/21/2022 |
Location: Albany, NY |
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| CK August 2022 |
Location: vegetable garden among caged tomatoes in Laketown Township female and male 2 rows apart |
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| CWO4 Dehler 8/9/2022 |
Location: Blaine, MN Looked exactly as stated in your description. Located in a south facing flower garden next to the house. |
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Noah |
Location: Murdock Minnesota |
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| Jill Maher 9/5/2021 |
Location: Alexandria, Minnesota Between building and Bush |
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| Bill Elert 9/4/2021 |
Location: Eagan, MN Spotted hanging next to my garage door above my bushes. |
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David Munson |
Location: Bethel University Frisbee golf course |
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| Robbie 8/17/2021 |
Location: Elk River Mn. Female about 1-1/4" so cool looking, at the top of a bush with web attached to my deck railing. |
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| Lisa W 8/16/2021 |
Location: Chanhassen, MN taking residence outside my garage |
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| Sandra Kelly 8/13/2021 |
Location: Anoka County, City of Fridley my front garden in the hostas |
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| Diane Richter 8/11/2021 |
Location: Zumbrota, Goodhue Co. Mn. spotted the web and spider on my tomato plant |
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| Charlene Sennewald 8/9/2021 |
Location: Pine River, MN She was building her web in a tomato bush. |
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| Paul & Debbie 8/9/2021 |
Location: Lakeville, MN She was making a web on tall prairie grasses. |
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| Brock K. 7/30/2021 |
Location: Eagan, MN Huge yellow/black spider has had a web during last 2 weeks in our Irus plant in the backyard. Looked it up on your site, thank you. |
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| Jennifer Torrini 7/30/2021 |
Location: Apple Valley, MN in a planter amidst my Dusty Miller and Begonias. Look at that web! |
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| Gary Holthaus 7/24/2021 |
Location: Richmond MN beautiful spider |
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| Melissa 9/10/2020 |
Location: Dodge County MN She’s beautiful! |
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| Jill Hedlund 9/1/2020 |
Location: Diamond Lake, MN
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| Rehnman 8/28/2020 |
Location: Willmar, MN |
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| Roger Williamson 8/20/2020 |
Location: Minneapolis |
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| jmpickone 8/16/2020 |
Location: St. Paul, Mn My back yard in veggie garden. |
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| LCHB 8/14/2020 |
Location: Ramsey Beautilful! I’ve never seen one before. |
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| Mrs.L 8/10/2020 |
Location: Steven's County, MN I noticed these spiders her last year but just looking them up today. |
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| Kim Baartman 8/6/2020 |
Location: Tracy Minnesota (Lyon County) |
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| Cristina LaPointe 8/5/2020 |
Location: Otsego, MN Found between a phone pole and a plant in a ditch. |
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Kris and Sue Mestad |
Location: Northfield, MN |
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| Brianna F. 7/31/2020 |
Location: Bloomington, MN |
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| Jim Ham 10/29/2019 |
Location: St. Paul Downtown Airport Found on a sidewalk below some large security lights. Many webs around the lights. While I was taking this photo the warm air inside woke him up. |
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| Alfredo Colon August 2019 |
Location: Slinger, Wisconsin |
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Desirae Christensen |
Location: Apple Valley, MN |
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Stephanie Stanley |
Location: Morrice, MI |
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| Mark Gullickson 9/22/2019 |
Location: Polk County / Fertile, MN In a small grassland on our farm. |
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| Roy G. 9/19/2019 |
Location: Cook County, IL In my front yard. |
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| Anonymous 9/14/2019 |
Location: Glyndon, MN |
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Anonymous |
Location: St Paul |
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| Kylie W 8/31/2019 |
Location: Alexandria, MN |
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Argiope |
Location: Dakota County, Mn |
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| luckysharms913 @gmail.com 8/28/2019 |
Location: Pierz, MN |
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| Jenn 8/27/2019 |
Location: Columbia Heights, MN we have 3 in our yard! They are amazing to watch! |
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Californiamom78 |
Location: Saint Paul MN- cathedral hill historic area |
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Wayne Schaumburg |
Location: Garrison, MN |
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| Sarah H. 8/23/2019 |
Location: SE Yellow Medicine County, MN |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/22/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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| Tyler 8/22/2019 |
Location: Crookston, MN daughter spotted it and screamed like a 10 year old girl (she is a 10 year old girl) |
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| Mark 8/22/2019 |
Location: Circle Pines, Mn Garden Spider |
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| Theresa Cullett 8/21/2019 |
Location: Co Rd 3, Crow Wing County, Brainerd, Minnesota see large female |
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Joan |
Location: Sauk Rapids, MN |
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| Jim H. 8/18/2019 |
Location: Glendorado, MN |
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| Rhonda 8/3/2019 |
Location: West Concord, MN This is the third one I’ve seen in less then a week. We have always had free range chickens. This is the first time in 9 years we don’t have them... I think we will be getting them again!!😉 |
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| Ang Marie 8/3/2019 |
Location: Melrose, WI |
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| Cathy R 7/30/2019 |
Location:
Columbus, MN In my garden |
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| Amber & Robert 9/11/2018 |
Location:
Litchfield MN OMG ITS HUGE!!!! |
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| Connie Peterson 9/9/2018 |
Location: Storden, Cottonwood County I found these two spiders in my doorway yesterday. I looked them up and the map shows that Cottonwood county is not marked as having them. Are they rare here? |
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| John Valo 9/9/2018 |
Black and yellow argiope have been reported in two neighboring counties, so it is not surprising that they are found in Cottonwood County as well. Cottonwood County is now included on the distribution map. |
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| Birddog 9/5/2018 |
Location: Dakota County (castlerockmaterials) |
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| Jordan M. 8/28/2018 |
Location: Mantorville, MN Found on the deck by our front door. |
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| Kris M. 8/26/2018 |
Location: Burnsville, MN |
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| Anne 8/26/2018 |
Location: River Falls, WI Has a web in one of our shrubs. |
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| Maggie Pace 8/12/2018 |
Location: Lake Susan Hills, web spun off of a residential wooden deck, Chanhassen, MN Enormous. |
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| Lei 8/11/2018 |
Location: Ham Lake |
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| M. Johnson 8/13/2018 |
Location: Garden in St Anthony I was doing some deadheading of plants in my garden, I looked up and there it was twelve inches from my face. Beautiful and a little startling, I had never seen one before. |
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Pat Wessman |
Location: Silverwood Park, New Brighton, MN |
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| Chris Reiter 8/10/2018 |
Location: Taylor Falls Had a large web in the shrub. |
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| Sarah Rademacher 8/1/2018 |
Location: Pioneer Trail and Settlement Drive (Settler’s Ridge), Eden Prairie, Mn Found lying in wait in some day lilies |
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| Shane Fox 7/30/2018 |
Location: St. Paul, MN |
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